Colonel James M. Fosse – Obituary

May 21, 2013ObituariesComments Off on Colonel James M. Fosse – Obituary

Colonel James M. Fosse, USAF Retired, 82, of Goreville passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:52 a.m. at the VA Living Center in Marion.

Colonel Fosse was the son of the late Erwin and Bessie Fosse of Marion.

He was raised on the family farm south of Marion and attended Mission Ridge Grade School and Marion Township High School, graduating in 1948. He was known only as Marvin during these years. The change to James M came about during his Air Force career and the services use of first name and middle initial. He enlisted in the Air Force December 3, 1951 and retired April 20, 1982. During those 30 plus years he served in Illinois, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Texas as well as Hawaii, Australia, Vietnam and Turkey. Numerous short duty tours were in Morocco, Germany, Labrador and Japan. His life in the Goreville area was good. He served for a time as a volunteer policeman for the village and served an abbreviated term on the Goreville school board. He was an avid golfer for many years and was a member of the Lake of Egypt Country Club until 2011. Other memberships included the Air Force Association, Military Officers Association of America, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He favorite personal achievement came late in life. At the age of 75 he received his pilots certificate and built and flew his own airplane.

Survivors include his Wife Judith, Sons – David Keith and family, Tia, Kyle and Paige and Coast Guard Captain Charles Erwin and family, Karen, Ella and Lauren, Brothers Gale and Lawrence, Sister Ferne Bowen and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Son Michael and Brothers Lester, Wayne, Lavern and E. Ray.

Graveside services will be Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Cana Cemetery with full military honors. Friends and family are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. Wade Halva. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 – 8 p.m. at Blue Funeral Home in Goreville.

For those who prefer memorials may be made to the Colonel James M. Fosse Memorial Aviation Scholarship. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Blue Funeral Home, 1704 North Court Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.